Posts Tagged ‘Captain America’

If you’re a comic book nerd like I am, yesterday was a big day in terms of publicity photos leaked to the internet of actors dressed up like super heroes.

I submit for your approval Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man and (from an upcoming issue of Entertainment Weekly) Chris Evans as Captain America.

At first glance, I don’t really have a problem with either of these costume designs. I like the streamlined look of the new Spider-Man costume and I think it’s kind of clever how they integrated the spider emblem on the front into the ribcage. I also noticed they did something a little different with the gloves and made them more pointed at the cuff. Most importantly, they took off the raised webbing of the previous costume, which I always thought was impractical.

I think the texture of the costume is a little weird. It looks like leather, or something. Like the original costume, I have a hard time believing that this is something Peter Parker could have stitched together on his own. Not that a comic book movie has to be 100% plausible. It’s just something that sticks out in my mind.

If you look closely, there appear to be shiny, metallic nubs on the wrists. Possible web-shooters, anyone? I’ll be very eager to see what that looks like on-screen.

As for Evans and his Captain America duds, it looks right for the most part – if a little bulky. I have no complaints about the wings being painted on to his helmet and I think they made the costume the right amount of blue. So he still looks like Captain America, but also doesn’t look like a walking cartoon.

The most important detail to get right for me is the shield and they’ve obviously done that, so I’m not too concerned with this look. It’s very much in-step with the Ultimates version of Captain America and that’s never a bad thing.

Personally, I don’t think they needed to add the word “AVENGE” over the top of it. The image of Captain America is already so iconic, why add another layer to it?

I also kind of think they’re over doing it with the grime and splatter. It’s almost like they’re doing anything they can to tone down the otherwise cartoonishly bright color elements of Cap’s costume. Maybe that’s necessary. But, y’know… strike a balance.

Marvel has already announce trailers for Captain America AND Thor will air during the Super Bowl. Until then, we have this to pick apart. What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below!

I know that talking about ads that aired on the Super Bowl three days after the fact is like asking you to study ancient Sanskrit in internet terms, but I’m getting caught up, okay? I’m not going to dig into ever trailer that aired during Sunday’s game. Just the spots that got my attention. And I’d say – out of all of them – the trailer for Captain America is the one to beat.

The spot is cut together pretty fast. It’s almost “you blink and you miss it” fast. But I think it hits all the right notes in terms of flashing iconic images of Cap’s shield and The Red Skull unmasking himself. These image do what a good teaser clip should – they make us want to see more of the movie.

I’m still a little freaked out by Chris Evans’s gigantic head on a tiny body, but the effect is otherwise seamless. I’m also a little disturbed that the Super Solider serum apparently gives you boobs. But that’s neither here nor there.

What was your impression of the Captain America trailer? Leave your comments below!

I’ll share that I was somewhat skeptical of Captain America being a success at the box office. Marvel has done a good job of making the character a WWII bad-ass in the last 10 years, but the fact remains that he’s kind of trapped in a hokey, by-gone era with several “Gee whiz!” simplistic trappings. There’s a high probability that this film could turn out very campy if not handled correctly.

This image of Weaving as The Red Skull completely blows that out of the water for me. For a film I was feeling so-so about before, I am now completely on board.

Marvel has been very smart about the publicity materials they’ve let leak out over the last few months. They’re very tuned in to what the fans want to see. First Cap’s shield, then the costume, then the effect of the Super Solider serum and now The Red Skull. Well played, Marvel. Well played.

The more I think about it, the more I think this make up job is absolutely perfect. I didn’t even notice that Weaving’s nose was completely missing until after I poured over the details of the costume. I wonder if they’re using the same guys who removed Ralph Fiennes nose for Voldemort?

And when you get right down to it, Weaving is the perfect choice to play The Red Skull. His villains are the best. Slightly unhinged, thoroughly pissed off and smart as a whip. Always a great combination.

What is your reaction to this new image? Does it have you psyched for Captain America? Leave your comments below!

Haphazardly monitoring Twitter last night, I saw my feed lit up from people who were wetting their pants over the new Captain America trailer. Then enthusiasm was so unbridled, it almost made me want to skip watching the trailer myself.

Almost.

I understand the emphasis is on action with this trailer, that’s fine. But the use of Tool’s “Forty Six And 2” feels COMPLETELY out of place. So easily I could have pictured more anthemic orchestration like John Williams’ Indiana Jones score. But that’s a quibble.

Despite a summer plagued by superhero movies that have created anxious doubt(X-Men: First Class), suffered critical misfires (Green Lantern) or were merely serviceable (Thor), I am actually very optimistic about Captain America because it seems like they’ve gotten a lot of the little details right. More importantly, they haven’t given away the store with their previews. They’ve been promoting this movie for almost a year and I still feel like there are plenty of treats waiting for us on the big screen.

The casting is excellent. Can I say pleases me to no end to see Tommy Lee Jones barking orders at people? It goes without saying that Hugo Weaving as The Red Skull is perfect.

So that’s what this blog post is for. If you haven’t seen the trailer for The Avengers yet, here it is:

INITIAL REACTIONS

Immediately I was impressed that there was an adversarial tone between the individual members of the team. “I don’t play well with others,” Tony Stark quips. “Big man in a suit of armor – take that away and what are you?” Captain America sneers. Oh, and is that Thor taking a flying leap, about to smash Captain America’s shield?

This is all very much in keeping with the comics. The “friendly misunderstandings” that lead to heroes battling each other before banding together to fight the common enemy. Total “Who Would Win in a Fight” geek bad-assery on display here.

Clearly Joss Wheadon is giving Tony Stark all the best lines – at least in the trailer. I hope this is the case throughout the movie. One of the biggest advantages to the Iron Man films was Robert Downey Jr’s motormouth style. With a script by Wheadon, you’ve got the best of both worlds when it comes to words and delivery.

What I really like is how close to the vest they’re keeping Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. Barely any screen time or dialogue for either of them in this trailer. Everyone else we’ve seen in action in other movies. But these two are the last unknown variables. Expect Marvel to continue to keep fans on a string regarding those two.

What’s you reaction to the trailer? Personally, I think it was perfectly executed and it gives me high hopes for May 2012. Why don’t you leave your comments below. C’mon. You know you wanna…